[Federal Register: June 15, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 114)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34644-34646]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15jn05-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19203; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-109-AD;
Amendment 39-14127; AD 2005-12-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes. This AD requires
modifying the frequency converters located in the closet assembly in
the passenger compartment, and making various wiring changes in and
between the closet assembly and forward purser work station. This AD
also requires modifying the in-flight entertainment system prior to or
concurrently with the modification of the frequency converters. This AD
is prompted by a certification review that revealed a frequency
converter failure mode not identified in the original system design. We
are issuing this AD to prevent a short circuit between the frequency
converter output and the distribution circuit breakers, which could
result in overheating and failure of adjacent wiring and consequent
adverse effects on other systems sharing the affected wire bundle.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 20, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July
20, 2005.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207. You can examine this information at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of
this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2004-19203; the directorate
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-109-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Binh Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Systems
and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone
(425) 917-6485; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes. That
action, published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2004 (69 FR
58109), proposed to require modifying the frequency converters located
in the closet assembly in the passenger compartment, and making various
wiring changes in and between the closet assembly and forward purser
work station. That action also proposed to require modifying the in-
flight entertainment system prior to or concurrently with the
modification of the frequency converters.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been
submitted on the proposed AD from a single commenter.
Request To Clarify Discussion Section
The commenter states that the last sentence in the second paragraph
of the Discussion section of the proposed AD is unclear as written, and
asks that it be clarified. The commenter notes that the sentence
specifies ``Therefore, all of these models may be subject to the same
unsafe condition.'' The commenter states that the sentence should be
changed to read ``Therefore, 757-200 series airplanes with frequency
converters may have an unsafe condition.''
We acknowledge the commenter's request for clarification of the
Discussion section of the proposed AD; however, that section is not
restated in this final rule. In addition, the certification review
specified in the Discussion section of the proposed AD is of a Model
737-700C series airplane, and the second paragraph merely clarifies
that the frequency converters on certain Model 757-200 series airplanes
are identical to those on the affected Model 737-700C series airplanes.
Request To Clarify Number of Airplanes in Costs of Compliance Section
The commenter states that the description for the number of
airplanes specified in the first paragraph of the Costs of Compliance
section of the proposed AD is unclear as written, and asks for
clarification. The commenter notes that the first paragraph specifies
``This proposed AD would affect about 4 airplanes of U.S. registry and
4 airplanes worldwide.'' The commenter states that the paragraph should
be changed to read ``This proposed AD
[[Page 34645]]
would affect 4 airplanes worldwide. All four are of U.S. registry.''
We agree with the commenter and have changed the subject paragraph
for clarification.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
This AD affects 4 airplanes worldwide; all of the airplanes are of
U.S. registry.
For airplanes listed in Group 1 of Service Bulletin 757-25-0255:
The modification takes about 97 work hours (including access, close-up,
and test), at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required
parts will cost about $10,710 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the modification for U.S. operators is $17,015 per
airplane.
For airplanes listed in Group 2 of Service Bulletin 757-25-0255:
The modification takes about 105 work hours (including access, close-
up, and test), at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required
parts will cost about $10,956 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the modification for U.S. operators is $17,781 per
airplane.
For airplanes listed in Group 1 of Service Bulletin 757-24-0093:
The concurrent modification, if not previously done, takes about 49
work hours, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required
parts will cost about $5,315 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the modification for U.S. operators is $8,500 per
airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to
examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2005-12-11 Boeing: Amendment 39-14127. Docket No. FAA-2004-19203;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-109-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective July 20, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model 757-200 series airplanes,
certificated in any category, as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin
757-25-0255, dated December 11, 2003.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a certification review that revealed
a frequency converter failure mode not identified in the original
system design. We are issuing this AD to prevent a short circuit
between the frequency converter output and the distribution circuit
breakers, which could result in overheating and failure of adjacent
wiring and consequent degraded operation of airplane systems.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Modification
(f) For all airplanes: Within 18 months after the effective date
of this AD modify the frequency converters located in the closet
assembly in the passenger compartment by doing all the applicable
actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Service Bulletin 757-25-0255, dated December 11, 2003.
Prior or Concurrent Modification
(g) For Group 1 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin
757-24-0093, dated August 14, 2003: Before or concurrent with
accomplishment of paragraph (f) of this AD, modify the in-flight
entertainment system by doing all the applicable actions in
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0093, dated August
14, 2003.
Part Installation
(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
frequency converter having part number 1-002-0102-0730 on any
airplane unless that frequency converter has been modified as
required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0255, dated
December 11, 2003; and Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0093, dated
August 14, 2003; as applicable; to perform the actions that are
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director
of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of
these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. For copies of the service information, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. For
information on the availability of this material at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or
go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
You may view the AD docket at the
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
[[Page 34646]]
Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 27, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-11712 Filed 6-14-05; 8:45 am]
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